On a cold winter day, there are few places more inviting than a solid Irish gastropub to warm the body and soul. The combination of locally sourced restaurant-quality food combined with a convivial bar scene featuring hand-crafted beers and cocktails is exactly what Sweet Afton is all about.

General manager Jasel Cardona oversees the Astoria location, now celebrating its 15^th year of serving the community. It’s a hot spot, especially if you happen to be a night owl, “If you’re in the mood for some great bites after hours, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re coming in for a post-work snack or late-night cravings, we’ve got those comforting dishes that everyone loves, no matter the time.”

Be sure to take advantage of the kitchen that’s open until 1am every day. For a midnight snack, grab an order of zucchini fritters, fried pickles, or popcorn chicken. If you’re in the mood for something more substantial, order a juicy Sweet Afton Burger and fries or a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich that’s sure to satisfy.

Now for the pub part of gastropub. Sweet Afton’s drink menu is truly a treat. Using fresh ingredients and menus that change seasonally, the mixologists create hand-crafted cocktails with syrups made in-house. Cardona reflected on cocktail selection, “The Dirty Pickle Martini (vodka and McClure’s pickle juice) and The Monarch (jalapeno-infused tequila, mezcal, salted falernum, pineapple, cinnamon, and lime) have become staples and are here to stay. Our Guinness pour is sure to make any Irish heart proud.”

And if you’re curious about the name, Sweet Afton is the name of an Irish tobacco. Before the building was a pub, it was a tobacco warehouse. A great deal of the interior has been recycled and resourced, giving this spot a look and feel all its own. For example, the ceiling beams were recovered from an old wooden cargo ship. And the addition of a second bar, affectionately named Sidekick, gives the inside of Sweet Afton even more of an open feeling. Sidekick and the rear garden, the Glasshouse, are also private events.

But Cardona went on, emphasizing that it was more than the warm décor, the delicious food, and the unique drink options that make Sweet Afton successful. “The real credit goes to our amazing team. It’s their warmth and dedication that keep you coming back time and time again. It’s all about taking care of our friends here in Astoria—and all the wonderful people who visit us.”

30-09 34^th St. / Phone: 718.777.2570 / sweetaftonbar.com / Yelp 4.0